Switch



(No Model.)

G. S. VAN NUIS.

SWITCH.

No. 535,149. Patented Mar. 5, 1895.

CHARLES S. VAN NUIS, OF NElV BRUNSXVIGK, NEXV JERSEY.

SWITCH.

STEOIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 585,149, dated March 5, 1895.

Application filed September 17, 1890. Serial No. 865,269. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may omwcrni Be it known that I, CHARLES S. VAN NUIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at New Brunswick, county of Middlesex, State of New Jersey, have invented a certain new and use- [o terns employing heavy currents, such as those employed in electric lighting.

My object is, to provide an improved apparatus for overcoming, or at least reducing, the spark produced on moving the switch to open the circuit in which it is placed, and

thereby to protect and prolong the life of the switch. This object is accomplished by an improved shunt for the main switch contacts or terminals, which shunt is maintained until after the main contacts are separated, and is then broken by means of supplemental contacts as hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention, Figure 1 is a side view of my improved switch, and Fig. 2 is an end view of the same.

The general features of construction of the switch illustrated are the same as in my Patent No. 424,739, but it will be clear that the 0 present improvement is applicable as well to switches of different construction.

Upon a suitable base 1, which is preferably of slate, glass or other insulating and heat resisting material, are mounted suitable ter- 5 minals 2, having connecting devices 3, to

which the main circuit may be connected. On said base also is mounted a switch-arm 4, having an operating handle 5, pivoted at 6, and preferably acting by force of a spring to 0 break the circuit suddenly as in my patent above referred to.

Electrically connected to the terminals 2 are supplemental contacts 7. These I prefer to make of plates or blocks of carbon. Upon the switch-arm are mounted arms, springs or similar devices 8, adapted to bear against the carbon plates and are of such shape and length, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, that they will remain in contact with plates 7 until at ter the switch-arm 4 has separated from the main terminals 2, and immediately after such separation the shunting contacts are also separated. In this way no sparks occur at the main contacts or terminals of the switch but practically all sparking occurs at the supplemental contact. The carbon plates are not badly affected by the sparking, but should said plates become, in course of time, badly burned they can very readily be replaced at a trifling expense. The same is true of the co-operating contacts carried by the switch arm.

Between the terminals and shunting contacts 2, 7, is placed an insulating plate or screen 9, to prevent the passage of an are between the contiguous parts.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In an electric switch, the combination of a switch arm, circuit terminals, contact plates secured to said circuit terminals and with which said switch arm makes contact, carbon contact plates also secured to said circuit terminals, and contact springs carried by said switch arm for making contact with said carbon contact plates, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a circuit making and breaking switch, the combination of a base, terminals 2 thereon, switch arms or devices adapted to co-opcrate with both of said terminals, carbon plates or blocks 7, and the circuit making and breaking springs 8, substantially as described.

This specification signed and witnessed this 6th day of September, 1890.

CHAS. S. VAN NUIS.

Vitnesses:

CHARLES M. CATLIN, E. COURAN. 

